Key case



May 20, 1941.

L. A. JOHNSON KEY CASE I Filed April 16, 1940 v Inventor lea/mm do'H/vsokv,

Attorney Patented May 20, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a key case, the general object of the invention being to provide a hinge member for locking the keys in the case, after the keys have been placed on a pivot member in the case with means whereby the locking means can be readily moved to releasing position from different parts of the case and even with gloves or mittens on.

Another object of the invention is to provide the hinge portion with spaces for receiving numbers, names, or other information.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a side View of the case in closed position and showing a key in dotted lines therein.

Figure 2 is a view looking toward the notch side edge of the case.

Figure 3 is a view looking toward the other side edge thereof.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

As shown in these views the case is composed of the elongated plate-like members I and 2 which are slightly larger at one-end than the other and a sectional screw rivet 3 passes through the large end of the two parts of the case and the shank of this rivet is adapted to pass through the eyes of one or more keys K to pivotally connect the keys with the case. Inwardly extending projections 4 are formed at one side edge of the case on the parts I and 2 and these projections abut each other and form a part closure for this edge of the case to prevent the keys from being swung through this edge of the case. The other edge of the case has the finger receiving notches 5 in the members I and 2 and each member at the small end is formed with the recesses 6 one in each side part so that the said end portion is reduced. A substantially L-shaped latch member 1 has its shorter arm pivoted between the reduced end portions of the members I and 2 by a pivot pin 8 and when the latch member is in closed position the long arm thereof will extend along the notched side edge of the case and thus hold the keys between itself and the parts 4. The latch member is frictionally held in closed position and it is formed with the rough or corrugated end 9 for the long arm, a portion of which is exposed by the notches 5 so that by placing a portion of a finger or thumb in the notches 5 and pressing against the rough end of the long arm of the latch member said latch member can be swung to open position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 so that the key or keys can be moved out of the case for use. Also, the short arm of the latch member is of arcuate shape and fits between the reduced ends of the members I and 2 when the latch member is closed with end portions being exposed by the recesses 6 and these end portions are corrugated or roughened as at I!) so that these parts can be pressed upon to swing the latch member to open position.

Thus three portions of the latch member are roughened and exposed when the latch member is in closed position so that the latch member can be readily swung to open position even when the wearer has gloves or mittens on and this can be done while holding the case with one hand and using a finger or thumb of said hand to open the latch member.

Thus the keys in this case are readily accessible. A panel II is'formed on each side face of the long arm of the latch member and is so treated that numbers, names or the like can be written thereon by lead pencil or the like.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new 1s:

1. A key case of the class described comprising a pair of elongated members, a sectional screw rivet passing through one end of the key members and adapted to receive eyes of keys placed in the device, an L-shaped latch member including a long arm and a short arm, a pivot passing through the other ends of the two members and through the short arm and projections on the two members between which and the long arm of the latch member the keys are held while the latch member is in closed position.

2. A key case comprising a pair of members, a pivot member passing through one end of the members and adapted to pass through a hole in a key, projections intermediate the ends of the members and adjacent edges thereof, said projections engaging each other and closing said edge of the case, a substantially L-shaped 1atchof the short arm, the long arm of the latching ing member composed of a long arm and a short member when in closed position holding a key arm integrally connected together, a pivot passbetween itself and the projections, said members ing through the other ends of the members and having notches therein for exposing the free end through said short arm and said ends of the mem- 5 of the long arm of the latching member.

bers having recesses therein exposing portions LEONARD A. JOHNSON. 

